The healing of corneal injuries and cataract surgeries generally requires 5-6 days, a period during which the risk of infection increases. The group of Prof Guérin and colleagues (patent pending) has demonstrated that the modulation of CREB (inhibition by C646) and AKT (induction by SC79) signalling pathways can stimulate the growth of corneal cells, contributing to reduce the healing time to 4-5 days (rather than 6-7 days for DMSO-treated controls) using a human tissue-engineered cornea in vitro model (Couture et al., 2018).

This in vitro demonstration was reproduced in vivo in a rabbit ophtalmic injury disease model (unpublished).

Furthermore, this invention could have broad applications in wound healing using topical formulations.

Opportunities

A synergistic pharmacological combination of C646 and SC79 to accelerate corneal wound healing. SOVAR and Université Laval seek a partner for co-development or commercialization of this technology, in the form of more potent derivatives and/or formulation to increase the corneal residence time.

Availables resources

The research group is fully capable of performing in vitro and in vivo
evaluation of (formulated) compounds in human tissue-engineered corneas and in rabbits.